Guest Commentaries

Regardless of whether the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is related to the increasingly heated political discourse of the past few years, the United States needs to address some serious problems.

Gov. Nixon needs to order a stay of execution for Rick Clay so that investigators can examine evidence that was withheld by the prosecution.

Too much sugar at Christmas has created an addict.

More than ever before, we need independent, influence-free journalism — free of commercial influence, political influence and government influence. We should invest more, not less, to get it.

It's a hallmark of the organization to consider every resolution offered by its membership and then to revise policy booklets to reflect the decisions. 

The tax deal ends the Making Work Pay program, which was targeted at the middle class, and replaces it with the Payroll Tax Holiday, which favors the rich. 

A reasonable solution is needed to address Missouri's puppy-mill problem while at the same time protecting ethical breeders.

The Pew Research Center reports that 40 percent of Americans think marriage is obsolete, but what could possibly replace it?

The comminiques between diplomats can't be fully understood without knowing their historical context, the motivations of the writers and the motivations of the leakers.

If ratified, the new treaty will reduce verification standards necessary to make sure arms reduction is happening.

St. Nick, he would tire without milk and a snack, but the reindeer must haul that fat elf and his pack.

A Columbia resident writes that there is more to the story than what J. Karl Miller explains in his weekly columns.

This nation does an outstanding job of celebrating Independence Day, but too often loses sight of how the Bill of Rights guarantees our collective freedom.

“Thanks” to James Madison and others who found the right 45 words to declare for more than two centuries that government could not intrude on or deny our core freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.

Legislators should respect the voice of the people and create no law that would nullify the Puppy Mill Prevention Act.

Columbia handles electric and water utilities for its residents, but after observing the way some other cities around the state handle them, it may be more beneficial to turn to private utilities.

Ron Murray lost his kids for four months and spent 36 days in jail for complying with a judicial custody order. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has no problem with that.

Toys and games may be on the Christmas list, but a MOST 529 college savings plan helps parents save for their children's college education

Raising the minimum wage would increase purchasing power for the poorest Americans.

The American people have made it plain that they don't want draconian sacrifice; they don't want any sacrifice at all. They want all the benefits due them (plus 10 percent) and they want someone else to pay for it.